From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Jun 8: Launching the crediting of the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) amount of Rs 2,000 each sanctioned to the street vendors as part of the second package of compensation and relief to their bank accounts on Tuesday, chief minister B S Yediyurappa said the banks have been directed not to adjust the amounts against any loans by the street vendors.

Out of 2,16,439 beneficiaries identified in the state, as many as 1,91,684 street vendors whose bank accounts have been linked to their Aadhaar the DBT amount will be released from Tuesday, the chief minister said pointing out that a total amount of Rs 38.33 crore has been set apart for the street vendors.

Steps will be taken to get those street vendors whose bank accounts have not been linked with Aadhaar to get it done early so as to avail the compensation. The registered street vendors need not submit fresh applications for getting the compensation, he said.

Yediyurappa said he has already announced a financial package of Rs 1,700 crore to different sections of vulnerable people. The state government will take immediate steps to release the amounts announced to other sections too.

The chief minister said urban local bodies have identified 2,16,439 street vendors in the state and steps are being taken to issue identity cards and licences for carrying out the street vending trade so that they are eligible for all the infrastructure facilities in their workplaces.

Under the Pradhan Mantri AtmaNirbhar Fund Scheme, the street vendors have been provided with a microloan facility up to Rs 10,000. A total of Rs 107.92 crore have been sanctioned under the scheme in the State so far, the chief minister said.

He said the street vendors were more prone to get infected as they are always in the open and meeting different sections of society. It is all the more important and necessary that they must follow the Covid safety guidelines strictly and get themselves vaccinated in the interests of their own safety and that of their loved ones and customers.

Deputy chief minister and state Covid task force chief Dr C N Ashwath Narayan said as many as 2.14 lac street vendors are being provided with cash relief of Rs 2,000 each without any applications.

Chief minister’s additional chief secretary, Dr E V Ramana Reddy, E-administration department additional chief secretary, Rajiv Chawla, chief minister’s secretary, Dr S Selvakumar, National Urban Skills and Livelihood campaign director, N Manjushree and other senior officials attended the programme.